MAC Football Championship Game 2004

MAC Football Championship Game 2004

1 2 3 4th total Miami RedHawks 14th 0 6th 7th 27 Toledo Rockets 7th 0 21st 7th 35
date	December 2, 2004
Stadion	Ford Field
city	Detroit , Michigan
Referee	Stan Evans
Number of visitors	22,138
Television broadcast
Network	ESPN

The 2004 MAC Football Championship Game was the final of the American football championship in the Mid-American Conference of the 2004 season. The East Division winner, the Miami RedHawks , met the West Division winner, the Toledo Rockets . The Rockets defeated the RedHawks 35:27. The game took place on December 2, 2004 at Ford Field in Detroit , Michigan . It was the first championship game on neutral ground.

Course of the game

The championship game started badly for Toledo, as their quarterback dislocated his shoulder on the first drive. But he only missed one play due to the injury. Late in the second quarter he broke his throwing hand, but continued to play. At halftime, the Rockets were down 7:14, but were able to turn the game down to 35:20 with three touchdowns in the third quarter and another in the early last quarter. Toledo scored the equalizing touchdown after Brett's first interception , while Strong Safety Jackson scored the leading touchdown with a pick six. Miami then managed to score a touchdown, but the extra point was blocked by Anthony Jordan and so the Rockets stayed in the lead. The Rockets managed to throw a touchdown on Moore in their next two drives. Miami reduced the deficit to eight points with a touchdown with four minutes remaining, but the Rockets managed to take the remaining time off the clock with two 3rd down conversions and thus secure victory.

player

starter
Offense
Toledo	Item	Miami
Lance Moore	WR	Ryne Robinson
John Greco	RT	Todd Londot
David Perkins	RG	Charles Nordon
David Odenthal	C.	Dave Rehker
Chris Wakeman	LG	Nate Bunce
Nick Kaczur	LT	Mark Kracium
Chris Holmes	TE	Dan Tyler
Bruce Gradkowski	QB	Josh Betts
Scooter McDougle	HB	Luke Clemens
Steve Odom	WR	RJ Corbin
Kenny Higgins	WR	Michael Larkin
Defense
Toledo	Item	Miami
Phil Alexander	DE	Marcus Johnson
JP Bekasiak	DT	Will Rueff
Tyree Pollard	DT	Larry Burt
Bernard Faithful	DE	Jarrod Rich
Anthony Jordan	LB	John Busing
David Thomas	LB	Derek Rehage
Michael Broussard	LB	Terna Nande
Nigel Morris	CB	Darrell Hunter
Keon Jackson	SS	Matt Pusateri
Patrick Body	FS	Frank Wiwo
Antonio Malone	CB	Alphonso Hodge
Other participating players
Toledo: Marques Council , Terrance Hudson , Jason Flowers , Jason Robbins , Tyrell Herbert , Jeremy Wright , Jalen Parmele , Trinity Dawson , Brett Kern , Mike Alston , Steven Morrison , Mike Krispinsky , Alfred Martin Miami: Josh Williams , Justin Davis , Ryan Busing , Mike Wafzig , Adam Ciborowski , Ryan Redd , Jeff Schroeder , Brandon Murphy , Jared Parseghian , Bryan Tyson , Jerrid Gaines , Todd Soderquist , Steve Burke , Dontae Wright , Jerome Bennett , David Hutzelman , Matt Vogele , Craig Mester , Dave McClain , John Glavin , Otto Linwood , Chris Fessel , Patrick O'Bryan , Tyler Vogel , Korey Kirkpatrick
Source:

statistics

	Toledo	Miami
1st downs	21st	19th
3rd down conversion	7-16	5-12
4th down conversion	2-4	0-1
Total yards	437	362
Thrown yards	252	326
Comp-Att	18-25	20-33
Yards per pass	10.0	9.2
Yards run	186	58
Running attempts	46	28
Yards per run	4.0	2.1
Turnovers	1	2
Thrown interceptions	1	2
Time in possession	33:15	26:45
Source:

Honors

Wide receiver Michael Larkin was voted best Miami player and quarterback Bruce Gradkowski was voted best player in the Rockets.

Individual evidence

1. ↑ ^{a b c d} Toledo vs Miami (Dec 02, 2004). Retrieved October 6, 2018 . 
2. ↑ DETROIT'S FORD FIELD TO HOST MAC FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME. Retrieved October 6, 2018 . 
3. ↑ ^{a b} Gradkowski stars despite injuries. Retrieved October 6, 2018 . 
4. ↑ ^{a b} Gradkowski’s great night guides Toledo. Retrieved October 6, 2018 . 
5. ↑ Toledo vs. Miami (OH) - Team Statistics. ESPN, accessed October 6, 2018 . 
6. ↑ 2018 MAC Football Record Book . S. 107 ( online [PDF; accessed September 26, 2018]).